Envelope opener



R. GLASSER ENVELPE OPENER filed May 4, 19 3 Mju/2 Patented Dee. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES RICHARD GLASSER, 0F SAN FRANGSCO, CALIFORNIA.

ENVELOPE OPENER.

Application led May 4,

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, RICHARD GLAssnR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of San Francisco, county of cian Francisco, and State of California, have invented a new and useful Envelope Opener, of which the following is a specification.

juring the letter contained in the envelope.

is avoided. Further advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a side elevation of my envelope cutter, one of the covers being removed so as to disclose the interior; Figure 2 a top plan view of the same; Figure 3 a vertical cross section along line 3 3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 an enlarged detail section along line 4 4 of Figure 1, and Figure 5 an enlarged detail view of a portion of a blade used in my device. While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, I wish to have it understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A box-like structure 1) is secured to the base (2) in any suitable manner, as for instance by the angle bar (3), surrounding three of the lower edges of the structure and secured to the base bv means of screws (4). The boX is rather tall, long and narrow, and has the actual working mechanism including a cutting knife mounted therein, while a co-acting stationary blade (6) is secured in vertical position to a structure (7) also resting on the base (2) and extending into the interior of the box (1), forming a platform (8) on which the envelope to be cut may be supported and slid inside the main structure until stopped by a longitudinal beam (9) secured. to the rear wall (11) of the boX (1).

The cutting blade (13) secured to a longi- 1922. Serial No. 553,481.

tudinal plate (14) is supported over the cutting edge (6) in such a manner that when the blade is forced downward it will cooperate with the cutting edge in clipping olii' a portion of the envelope interposed between the two cutting elements. The plate (14) is actua-ted in the following manner: A central shaft (16) is rigidly supported in the two blocks (17) and (18) secured to the walls (11) and (19) of the box by means of screws (21) in vertically spaced relation to each other. A sleeve 22) slides on the shaft and is normally forced upward by a spring (23) surrounding the shaft. The sleeve terminates) in transverse pins (24) adapted to be engaged by the bifurcated lever (26), the end of which is pivotw ally supported on a transverse pin (27) eze tending between the two walls (11) and (19). The free end of the lever which extends through the opposing side (28) of the box-like structure is provided with a handle (29) by means of which it may be manipulated. It will be seen that a pressure on the handle (29) will cause the sleeve (22) to slide downwardly on the shaft (16) against the resistance of the spring (23), and that the sleeve, through the two links (31) pivotally connecting the same with the free ends of two arms (32) pivotally secured to the stationary block (17), as shown at (33), will pull the free ends of said two arms downward, which latter motion will be transmitted to the longitudinal plate (14) through the vertical links 34).

Mounted above the platform 8) so that its inner edge (36) is flush with the stationary cutting edge (6) is the holding member (37). The same is suspended from two clips (38) projectingfrom the plate (14) by means of two bolts (39), a spring (41) having a tendency to press the holding member away from the clips.

The operation of the device should be readily understood from the foregoing description. rlhe envelope to be opened is placed. on the platform (8) and pushed inside until its edge rests against the stop (9). The handle (29) is then pressed downward. actuating the sleeve (22) and forcing the same downward against the resistance of the spring (23). The sleeve, through the links (31) and the arms (33), pulls the links (34) and with them the plate (14) downwardly. This motion is transmitted through the clips (38) to the thehandle Vis released the' s holding member (37), which is the rst member to strike the platform (8) or the envelope lying on top of the saine, whereby the latter isV lirmly held in its position. The fact that the bolts (39) are vadapted to slide in the clips (38) allows the plate (lll) to continue its downward motion after the holding member (37) has come to a stop, and AIon'the further downward.motion the blade (11.8) which is slantingly supported over thecnttingI edge will enga-ge the enA velopeinco-operation with the enttingj edge (6)` and will clip oft a marginalA portion of the same with a scissor-like action, the projection (40) "at the lower end. ot the bla/de increases the length "el this edge ot the"blade thns serving 'as a sliding bearingfor "the` same to take the thrust dne to the -angularset of the lni As soon as 'og-(23) forees thesleeve upward, "which latter re- Yt'nrns all the moving elements, lincluding -the ('82) and the :handle (9,9) ,to ythere original positions `while the springs (4l) on the 1Ilocilts"`(39) which were compressed din'- ing cutting operation expand again and maintain the holding member (37) 1n spaced relation to the clips (38).

I claim:

1. In an envelope opener of the character described, a drop blade, means for impart ing Vertical downward motion to said blade, Comprising a rigidly supported vertical shaft,v a spring supported sleeve slidable thereon, means for forcing` the sleeve down ward against the tension ot' the springl and an operative connection between the sleeve and the ,blade whereby the latter are l'oreed down siimiltaneonsly.

2. In an envelope opener ol the character RICHARD Gl iAtwS lil ll. 

